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Youth Caring and Sharing
Youth Director: Hannah Melnicoe
Bolivia Mission
I went to Santa Cruz, Bolivia last October with Medical Wings as the organization's Youth Director. Although I have been on two other missions, both to Peru, my experience in Bolivia was truly unique and unforgettable. During the mission, we set up a clinic for three days in a local school. Everyone was extremely busy, and I worked as a translator for the optometrists. I was excited to put my Spanish to use and interact with the patients. I had never realized just how invaluable the optometrists are. The two doctors saw around 700 patients in our three days there. The majority of the patients received glasses, and the joy on their faces when their sight was restored was incredible. One old man triumphantly told me, "Puedo vivir otra vez!," or "I can live again!" One woman was so overcome with emotion that she started crying after receiving her glasses. These glasses enable people to continue working, sewing, and reading, and truly change their lives.
 The need of our patients was very great. A soft-spoken girl only a few years older than I am brought in her middle-aged mother who had been blinded by glaucoma and appeared to be in much pain. As I explained to her that the doctor said that her mother needed surgery, she shook her head sadly and told me that she knew, but her family was unable to afford it. Many of our patients had never had their eyes examined before and had never heard of common eye problems such as astigmatism.
 Translating for the doctors was challenging but extremely rewarding. Every Latin American country has its own unique dialect, and Bolivia is no exception. Also, I was a little unfamiliar with some of the medical terminology: "pterygium" and "myopia" are not words typically taught in high school Spanish classes. I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn new vocabulary and practice my Spanish for up to ten hours a day.
The best part about these missions is the connections you can make with others, both natives of the country and members of the incredible Medical Wings team. Even though the exchange with each patient was relatively brief, I still had the chance to connect with many of them. While Jon, the optometrist who I spent the most time working with, would look for a patient's prescription, I would ask the patient simple questions about where he or she was from, his or her family, and life in Bolivia. People were extremely open and happy to talk, and often had very interesting stories. One middle-aged patient brought her mother, a tiny old woman in traditional dress. She explained that her mother spoke only a native Indian language and needed reading glasses only for sewing since she could not read. My time in Bolivia also left me with great respect for the medical professionals who give so much time and energy to ensure the mission's success.
Dental:
Pharmaceutical Care:
The Triage Area:
Pediatrician:
Eye Tech: Optometry:
Mobilizing Global Families:
Youth Director:
American Airline Community Services:
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